Helpful Security Tips to help keep your system safe

[PeachtreeCustomz]

Originally Posted by brenton

• ALWAYS use common sense. Don't 'bump' where you live, esp. if you live in an apartment
• If at all possible, avoid putting any stickers on your car (be it performance or audio) they just scream "steal me! steal me!"
• If you go to car shows/soundoffs, I suggest removing your license plate temporarily. This will at least make it hard for people to remember your car is packing what gear(s)
• Consider getting dark limo tint and car cover. Remember - out of sight, out of mind.
• when you go to a mall or a store, turn down your system at least 2 miles BEFORE you get there. When a thief hears you bumpin down the road, he will follow you till you park and jack your equipment when you leave. Anybody who's desperate for money will do ANYTHING to steal something.
• Please Please Please install an alarm. I know about 30 people who pack thousands of dollars worth of competition-grade Audio Equipments in their SPL vehicles and they don't even have a $100 car alarm How stupid can you be..
• 'modify' your car alarm.. It might be an overkill, but I'll install 10 additional siren around the car - two inside the hood, two underneath beside the cat, two in the trunk, and four in the cabin. Thieves don't have enough time to cut all those wires while they're blaring 130bD.
• I betcha right now I can guess where you all have your alarm brains.. they're under the dash. right? that thing can be disabled in less than 5 seconds! Don't be a fool, move that brain somewhere hidden. Mine has mixed wire colors and false wires all around, Not even a professional installer can unload it.
• modify your Kickpanels to hide the hood release latch under the dash. Mine is covering the whole thing so you will have to reach inside the kicks to pop the hood. One time I took it in for an oil change it took the guy about 10 minutes to figure out where the hood release is This is extremely important so that the thief can't disconnect your +12 source and disable your alarm.
• I can't emphasize enough how extremely important security screws are. These are oddly-shaped head screws that you can get from any hardware store. Nearly ALL thieves carry a flat screwdriver and/or phillips screwdriver all the time. A hex or square head screw will definately slow them down. If your amp is bolted to the amp rack like this, there's NO WAY they can take your equipment.. but make sure your amp rack is bolted as well.
• Ask your insurance provider if they can cover your equipment.
• Be careful on who you show your system to... remember that every person is a possible thief. Even people who post here.
• Don't leave anything "interesting" inside your car (cellphone, jewelry, heck even a quarter) this will only attract passerbys that can possibly lead to theft.

this is sooo true

[TechSys]

Just a few things to add to the above.

When leaving your vehicle for long periods of time, try to park in a well lighted area.

To go along with the modify the alarm. Add lighting. A thief HATES being put in the spotlight. The more lighting wired to the alarm (to light up when the alarm goes off), the better. Light it up like a Christmas tree. Add stroblights. Anything bright to catch attention of others.

And a correction. Window tint.... This actually gives the impression that you have something to hide. The only thing window tint is good for, as far as security goes, is the window most likely will not shatter when broke.

And the main thing when trying to secure your vehicle. Try to think like a thief. Try to think outside the box. If you can do both, you'll have a pretty good idea on how and what to do to avoid certain things. Alarms are pretty much like locks, only made for honest people.

Other than that, very good info posted above.